SCOTTISH NATIONAL
JAZZ ORCHESTRA – American AdventureSpartacus Records
STS018Ru Pattison (as, ss); Martin Kerhaw (cl,
as); Konrad Wiszniewski (ts); Bill Fleming (bs); Ryan Quigley, Cameron Jay, Tom
MacNiven, James Marr (t, fl-h); Chris Grieve, Phil O’Malley (tb); Michael Owens
(b-tb); Brian Kellock (p); Calum Gourley (b); Alyn Cosker (d)Mike Stern (g); Tommy Smith (ts, dir.);
Clarence Penn (d); Donny McCaslin (fl, ts); Joe Locke (vib); David Liebman
(ss); David Kikoski (p); Joel Frahm (ts); Bill Evans (ts); Kurt Elling (v);
Michael Dease (tb); Randy Brecker (t)Recorded Avatar Studios, New York; June 2013There can now be few superlatives that have not already been
used in praise of the SNJO, and the orchestra under the direction of Tommy
Smith is now firmly established as one of the finest big bands in the world. Such
praise could also readily be seen as hyperbole were it not for the fact that it
is has been pointed out so often by so many, and also by the glowing testaments
of the distinguished USmusicians that
are featured on this fine disc.Stopping off at New York’s Avatar Studios for a couple of
days during their recent tour of the United States and Canada, the SNJO
recorded some newly commissioned arrangements of some great compositions from
the pens of Wayne Shrorter, Charles Mingus and Chick Corea in a set that looks
back as well as forward in a truly creative and memorable recording.Surprises abound in contemporary arrangements of some
familiar material, some of which has not been heard in such a context
previously. Fred Sturm’s arrangement of Marcus Miller’s ‘Splatch’ (recorded on
Miles Davis’ Tutu album) featuring
guitarist Mike Stern is a blistering start to proceedings, building to a climax
with the sparring of Stern with drummer Alyn Cosker.Not to be missed is saxophonist Bill Evans as heard on Chick
Corea’s ‘Quartet No.1 (Part 2). Taking Michael Brecker’s famous part he may be,
standing in Brecker’s shadow he certainly is not with his playing commanding
attention at every turn. Donny McGaslin, pianist David Kikoski and the master, David
Liebman make ‘Pendulum’ by Richie Beirach a tour de force that should be by
rights the show stopping piece on the disc if were not for a superb heart felt
reading of Coltrane’s ‘Dear Lord’, again with David Kikoski at the piano and
trumpeter Randy Brecker in what is a truly tremendous performance.Kurt Elling gets his moment on a beautiful arrangement of
‘Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love’ that sounds slightly at odds with the
powerhouse playing contained elsewhere. May be Tommy and the SNJO should have
given the great man an album to himself, as this all to brief and tantalising
piece can merely hint at the riches that further collaboration would yield.Quite simply this is big band playing that is difficult to
surpass, and indicates that the SNJO has a long and bright future whether
presenting cutting edge new material or bringing the jazz tradition to new
audiences. Live performances by the orchestra may be too few and far between,
so make sure you catch them when you can.